Jimmy Mawi: Black Dialogue 10"

Limited edition 10" from Soundway featuring four cuts of 70's East African "raw, bluesy garage­funk­rock." In terms of vinyl output, Jimmy Mawi was a ghostly figure, releasing only three 45s on Pathe (EMI's East African imprint). Soundway has collected four of his best tracks and got rid of that crackling noise. You'll be blown away by the vibrancy of these tracks which definitely tread more on the funk­rock side than the afro. It's amazing how well African musicians at the time ingested and recontextualized American music… the ultimate funk filter.

• music label: Soundway 2013

reviewed by the mgmnt 12/2013